IOC begins preparations to celebrate World Olive Day 2024

The key day: 21 November. The International Olive Council (IOC) has begun preparations to celebrate World Olive Day on this date.

This date serves to commemorate and recognise the indispensable contribution of olive trees and the products derived from them, disseminating information about their benefits and importance, especially in the Mediterranean Diet.

Olive oil is an essential part of it, and accompanies a long tradition of olive cultivation throughout the Mediterranean. In the same way, it forms part of the healthiest diets in the world. Among other benefits, we can see that it contributes to the incorporation of vegetables into our eating patterns, providing health benefits that have been recognised in numerous scientific studies.

It also helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve brain health, and provides essential antioxidants that also serve to prevent certain types of cancer.

Not forgetting that it is a product that is making great strides in international markets as powerful as the United States. In the case of Spain, the world's largest oil producer, record turnover has been achieved in the American giant during the first half of the year, exceeding 611 million euros. This translates into a turnover 105% higher than the previous year.

The IOC is already working on a programme of activities for the day, which will feature leading voices from the sector, to highlight the role of the olive grove as a source of dietary benefits, as well as the important role of olive oil at our table.

In addition, the programme will include the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of its publication ‘Mediterranean Diet Pyramid’. Through this celebration, the IOC aims to recognise the work of individuals and organisations that have contributed to the initiative, and their impact on the preservation of this valuable cultural heritage.